MILTON, Ga., May 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exide Technologies, (Nasdaq:XIDE) (www.exide.com) a global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions, announced today the launch of the new Exide® High Frequency (EHF) Series industrial charger – a multi-profile range for standard-flooded, low-maintenance-flooded and valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) motive power batteries.
The new EHF Series charger line, with models ranging from 24V – 80V, is designed with a number of innovative, environmentally-advanced elements that contribute to a reduced carbon footprint because of an energy-efficiency design. The charger uses less electricity resulting in increased utility savings, a higher power factor (the percentage of electricity that is delivered and used effectively) and efficiency optimization – all which help customers use batteries to their maximum potential in conventional motive power applications.
The EHF Series chargers offer greater efficiency of power conversion – as compared to chargers that incorporate Ferroresonant and SCR technologies – leading to reduced power consumption and energy costs. Reduced maximum input currents allow for reduced circuit breaker, cabling and distribution equipment sizes. The charger also ensures that the charging current and voltage remain constant during any mains fluctuations, guaranteeing a constant and optimized charge. End-of-charge on the EHF models is detected by the change in voltage over the change in time measure (dV/dt) to avoid risk of undercharge or overcharge. As a result, the EHF industrial chargers boast an efficiency rating of up to 92 percent: approximately 15 to 23 percent more efficient than other charging technologies.
"Charging systems are an important part of the Exide Technologies total solution program for motive power customers, which are utilized daily during their service lives," said Mitch Bregman, President – Industrial Energy Americas at Exide Technologies. "Our customers have benefited from the superior level of support we provide for our products in the field, and with the introduction of this third generation EHF charger line – one that is environmentally advanced with an energy-efficient design – we believe our customers also can experience higher productivity and energy savings."
A number of advanced technological features make the EHF Series the ideal choice for the continuously evolving needs of today's motive power market. The chargers use fourth generation MOSFET technology and Zero Volt Switching which provide greater power conversion efficiency. The EHF charger utilizes a space-saving Planar Transformer design which allows for reductions in size and weight and efficient cooling. For increased ease of operation, the chargers also are equipped with a high resolution LCD display that provides detailed information in seven languages including Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish and Swedish. A data archive also is available on the front panel and details recharge information from the last 250 cycles, including charts from the last 15 recharges – all viewable on the LCD display. Finally, a sturdy steel cabinet with a powder coat finish adds to the durability of the EHF charger models that are designed for rack and wall mounting.
The EHF Series Industrial Charger models are UL listed and built to Battery Council International (BCI) standards. The chargers also are designed for multiple lead-acid technologies offering a wide range of charge profiles that can be selected for all of Exide's product offerings including Tubular-HP®, Liberator®, Titan®/GNB® Flooded Classic™, Element® and Sonnenschein®. More information, including technical data, warranty information, and operation and service manuals are available at www.exide.com in the Industrial Energy section.
About Exide Technologies
Exide Technologies, with operations in more than 80 countries, is one of the world's largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries. The Company's four global business groups -- Transportation Americas, Transportation Europe and Rest of World, Industrial Energy Americas and Industrial Energy Europe and Rest of World -- provide a comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services for industrial and transportation applications.
Transportation markets include original-equipment and aftermarket automotive, heavy-duty truck, agricultural and marine applications, and new technologies for hybrid vehicles and automotive applications. Industrial markets include network power applications such as telecommunications systems, electric utilities, railroads, photovoltaic (solar-power related) and uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and motive-power applications including lift trucks, mining and other commercial vehicles.
Further information about Exide, including its financial results, are available at www.exide.com.
The Exide Technologies logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5067
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information, this press release may be deemed to contain "forward-looking" statements. The Company desires to avail itself of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act") and is including this cautionary statement for the express purpose of availing itself of the protection afforded by the Act.
Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to (a) projections of revenues, cost of raw materials, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, capital expenditures, growth prospects, dividends, the effect of currency translations, capital structure, and other financial items, (b) statements of plans and objectives of the Company or its management or Board of Directors, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions by customers, suppliers, competitors or regulating authorities, (c) statements of future economic performance, and (d) statements of assumptions, such as the prevailing weather conditions in the Company's market areas, underlying other statements and statements about the Company or its business.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following general factors such as: (i) the Company's ability to implement and fund based on current liquidity business strategies and restructuring plans, (ii) unseasonable weather (warm winters and cool summers) which adversely affects demand for automotive and some industrial batteries, (iii) the Company's substantial debt and debt service requirements which may restrict the Company's operational and financial flexibility, as well as imposing significant interest and financing costs, (iv) the litigation proceedings to which the Company is subject, the results of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business, (v) the realization of the tax benefits of the Company's net operating loss carry forwards, which is dependent upon future taxable income, (vi) the fact that lead, a major constituent in most of the Company's products, experiences significant fluctuations in market price and is a hazardous material that may give rise to costly environmental and safety claims, (vii) competitiveness of the battery markets in the Americas and Europe, (viii) risks involved in foreign operations such as disruption of markets, changes in import and export laws, currency restrictions, currency exchange rate fluctuations and possible terrorist attacks against U.S. interests, (ix) general economic conditions, (x) the ability to acquire goods and services and/or fulfill labor needs at budgeted costs, (xi) the Company's reliance on a single supplier for certain of its polyethylene battery separators, (xii) the Company's ability to successfully pass along increased material costs to its customers, (xiii) the loss of one or more of the Company's major customers for its industrial or transportation products, (xiv) recently adopted U.S. lead emissions standards and the implementation of such standards by applicable states, and (xv) the ability of the Company's customers to pay for products and services in light of liquidity constraints resulting from global economic conditions and restrictive credit markets, and (xvi) those risk factors described in the Company's fiscal 2009 Form 10-K filed on June 4, 2009 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2009.
The Company cautions each reader of this report to carefully consider those factors set forth above. Such factors have, in some instances, affected and in the future could affect the ability of the Company to achieve its projected results and may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.